Tag Archives: environment

There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t have a conversation with someone about my vegan diet. Most people are just curious about why I chose a vegan lifestyle. Others are curious about what kinds of foods I eat. I also meet quite a few people admit to having tried it before, but couldn’t stick with it.

Listen, I get that everybody isn’t meant to be a vegan. In fact, I recently read an article that said only one percent of the population is vegan. I’d have guessed it was higher than that.

Nevertheless, I’m finding there are more and more people choosing to make the switch. Even a young man in my office is trying to incorporate more plant based foods into his diet and cut back on animal protein. He’s making small adjustments. That’s typically what I suggest to ensure a successful transition – make small, gradual changes.

Since it’s a new year, I figure why not go all in. You know what they say: Go Big or Go Home! When we partially commit to anything we don’t get the optimal results. So, why straddle the fence with this?

The health benefits of following a plant-based diet far outweigh the sacrifices. I realize giving up dairy, eggs and meat isn’t easy. The first couple of weeks will be the hardest, but you can get through it. The key to success is to be prepared and have a plan.

Here are a few reasons you should go vegan in 2016:

You already have some momentum. Most people are still feeling the high of the New Year and having a fresh start. Ride it out. You’ve already made up in your mind that you’re ready for a positive change. Adding this change will be easier if you do it now rather than later.

You’ll see quick results. Since you’ll be making such drastic changes in your eating by eliminating eggs, dairy and meat from your diet your body will respond quickly. You’ll actually look forward to getting on the scale!

Your overall health is likely to improve. Research shows that vegans have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and lower body fat. Obviously, not all vegans are healthy, but in general we have good health.

You’ll have more energy. As long as you’re getting in your nutrients from fruit and veggies and you’re getting in enough calories, you will feel more energetic. Well planned plant-based diets are rich in protein, iron, calcium, and other essential vitamins and minerals.

You’re helping the environment. The production of meat and other animal products places a heavy burden on the environment – from crops and water required to feed the animals, to the transport and other processes involved from farm to fork. To the contrary, considerably lower quantities of crops and water are required to sustain a vegan diet. This makes the switch to veganism one of the most effective ways to reduce our impact on the environment.

These are just some of the reasons you should consider following a plant-based diet. There are many more I could list.